A modular wooden play structure crafted from birch plywood features stacked boxes, some adorned with fairy lights. Shelves hold books and toys, all set on a light wood floor in a modern room.

Students in uniform interact around a large modular birch play structure with various colourful balls and objects placed in its cubby holes; some students are writing or reading near the sustainable structure in a modern, bright room.

Large indoor playroom featuring stacked, modular birch wooden blocks arranged as a play structure with holes and coloured lights. Modern decor, grey wood flooring, chairs, and an inspiring quotation on the wall in the background.

Four students in black uniforms interact with a large plywood block structure, decorated with colourful string lights, inside a modern indoor space featuring grey flooring and black walls.

Three people stand near a modular wooden bookcase display filled with colourful books and papers. Two hold papers, and one wears a yellow shirt. The timber construction of the floor adds to the sustainable feel, with computers visible in the background.

A group of people, mostly young women, gather around a timber construction display stand made of spruce with sports equipment and a WOW Women of the World Rotherham sign, inside a large white marquee at an event.

A birch plywood bench displays colourful, hand-drawn stickers and decorations. Yellow signs nearby read Children's Capital of Culture. The scene appears to be part of a creative, sustainable event or workshop.

Three people are at a modular plywood stall inside a marquee decorated with yellow bunting. The stall displays colourful books and handmade signs, including “BE KIND” and “WHO ARE WE? WHERE HAVE WE COME FROM?”.

A collection of colourful zines on a plywood floor, covering topics like equality, diversity, Islamophobia, women’s rights, and community health, with hand-drawn illustrations and text on their covers.

Six young people sit and talk on birch benches inside a white marquee decorated with yellow banners and streamers; one person stands and speaks, holding a microphone.

A group of young people stand together in a marquee beside a colourful WOW Festival sign. Most are smiling and wearing casual clothes with ID lanyards. Bright banners and posters, along with birch plywood displays, decorate the background.

Hand-drawn sketch on crumpled paper pinned to a board, showing display area, photo booth, bookshelves, and seating area with two people. The labelled zones and footrail display suggest a modular layout using plywood or timber construction elements.

Wooden birch modular play structures are assembled inside a white marquee. A colourful display and a large sign reading Bright Futures Start Here stand out, with bunting flags hanging along the marquee walls.

People gather under a large white marquee, interacting with sustainable wooden structures filled with books, decorations, and yellow flags. Some individuals are taking photos while others are socialising in groups.

Three young women stand at a wooden table in a marquee, focused on crafts or writing activities. The table, made from sturdy birch plywood, features a colourful sign on the front. Other people and chairs are visible in the background.

Wooden boxes made from birch plywood are stacked to form steps inside a marquee, decorated with yellow bunting. Books and a jar sit on top, and a person stands partially out of shot on the right, highlighting the sustainable set-up.

People stand and talk inside a large white event marquee. In the foreground, modular birch plywood crates labelled DISPLAY, STAGE, and ENCLOSURE sit among yellow bunting and bags. Informational signs are visible throughout the space.

A woman bends over a birch plywood bookcase decorated with yellow bunting that reads Children’s Capital of Culture. Books and a potted plant sit on the sustainable shelves, and she appears to be writing or drawing on a piece of paper.

The open back of a van revealing several large spruce wooden boxes with circular holes and handles, neatly stacked inside. A person's arm is visible at the left edge of the image.

WoW Rotherham: Building Safe Spaces with Young Women
Rotherham, UK – 2025

In collaboration with the Women of the World Festival (WOW) and Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture, U-Build and Studio Bark facilitated a series of co-design and build workshops with girls aged 13–15 from local schools. The aim: to empower participants through hands-on making, and to create temporary safe spaces for public conversation, reflection, and celebration in the town centre.

Over a short but dynamic programme, participants rapidly gained skills in tool use, construction, communication, and teamwork. Working first in smaller groups and then coming together for a collective build, they explored what makes a space feel safe, engaging, and inclusive—particularly for conversations around gender equity and the future of their communities.

The final installations, built by the young participants using the U-Build modular system, became platforms for interaction: inviting the public to write messages, read feminist fiction, stand up and speak, or simply take a quiet moment to reflect.

This project powerfully demonstrated how architecture and making can foster agency, confidence, and collaboration—especially when tools are placed directly in the hands of young people. A joyful, purposeful, and impactful contribution to the WOW Festival.

Partners: Women of the World (WoW), Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture, Studio Bark, U-Build